Earlier this spring and summer, among a run of bear reports throughout the region, a Perry County woman walking a dog was bitten by a black bear, thought to be a mother with cubs somewhere near the incident site.

A wildlife-filled season raises some critical questions for residents across the region.

What should I do if I see a bear?

PA GAME COMMISSIONA Pennsylvania black bear cub.

"Stay calm," said Mark Ternent, bear biologist with the Pennslvania Game Commission. "If you see a bear and it hasn't seen you, slowly leave the area. Talk to the bear while moving away to help it discover your presence, and choose a route that will not intersect with the bear if it is moving. Do not turn your back on the bear or run.

"If the bear begins to approach you as you are backing away, stop, wave your arms wildly, and shout at the bear.

"Be aware that some bears may bluff charge to within a few feet. Stand your ground and continue yelling at the bear. Resume backing away, stopping periodically to yell and wave your arms if the bear follows.

"Throw items at the bear or swing at it with whatever is at hand, if it approaches to within a few feet. If the bear attacks, fight back as you continue to leave the area. Black bears have been driven away with rocks, sticks, binoculars, car keys, boat paddles, daypacks or even bare hands.

When should I call the Game Commission or local officials about a bear in my neighborhood?

Ternent answered, "Anytime a bear acts aggressive, appears to present a human-safety risk, seems unwilling to leave a residential area, appears diseased or sick, or has caused significant property damage." Mere presence does not warrant a call to authorities.

How do I make sure I'm not doing something to attract bears into my backyard?

"The best solution is to prevent bears from finding food at your house in the first place," said Ternent. "Food placed outside for any reason - whether it is food for wildlife or pets, or unsecured garbage - has the potential to attract bears.

"Do not feed wildlife around your home. Do not put out garbage until pick-up day. Do not compost food wastes in the backyard. Clean and store your barbecue grill properly after each use. Keep residual garden and fruit tree produce cleaned up. Do not leave pet food dishes unattended.

"A neighborhood approach is critical because bears may wander through multiple yards in one night. Also, remember to include businesses that have dumpsters when trying to eliminate attractants.

What should I do if I see a bobcat or coyote?

U.S. FISH & WILDLIFE SERVICEAdult bobcat

Tom Hardisky, furbearer biologist with the Game Commission, advised, "If a coyote or bobcat is sighted and does not show signs of disease or abnormal behavior, there's no need to contact the Game Commission.

"Although coyotes and bobcats are typically nocturnal, they may be active in daylight hours especially during the young-rearing period in spring and summer."

U.S. FISH & WILDLIFE SERVICEAn adult coyote looking for its next meal

He added, "Enjoy them from a distance and be satisfied with that experience."

What if the bobcat or coyote is right in my backyard?

"If you see a coyote or bobcat in your backyard and are uncomfortable about having it around, frighten it away by making loud noises," said Hardisky. Hit pots or pans together. Shout. Clap your hands. Make yourself visible and large. Raise your hands above your head. Wave your arms. Hold up clothing or other material. Make that encounter a negative experience for the coyote or bobcat.

"If you frequently see a coyote or bobcat individual or family group in your backyard, try to determine why it is attracted to your area. Is there a food source nearby? Does the area provide good cover for traveling animals or shelter for denning?

"If you remove an animal's food, cover and shelter, and make interactions with humans uncomfortable, the animal will almost always seek a new, more suitable area."

Why are we seeing so many of these wild animals now?

"We are seeing more of these animals in urban and suburban areas because of population increases and natural range expansion," said Hardisky. "Like many other wild animals, they have adapted to living conditions near human populations.

"It is unlikely that coyote and bobcat occupancy will decrease in urban/suburban areas."

Ternent said, "Bear populations have increased in Pennsylvania in recent years, and meanwhile, increasingly more people are living in what was once traditional bear habitat. Consequently, opportunity for people and bears to encounter one another has increased.

"In some of the peripheral areas where bear sightings were once uncommon, bears are now occasionally being seen and generating considerable media attention. This attention reinforces the perception that sightings are on the rise.

"Time of year, natural food availability, problems with wildlife feeding or unsecured garbage, and dispersal or breeding behaviors also influence how many bears people see."

Something to worry about

If you still need something to fear from the animal kingdom, consider ticks, mosquitoes and flies, all of which carry serious diseases that are real and widespread threats to humans. Many more humans contract Lyme disease or West Nile virus each year than are attacked by bears, coyotes and bobcats combined.

Even raccoons, skunks, bats and foxes - the leading carrier species for rabies in Pennsylvania - pose a more realistic threat to humans.